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Two New Jersey wrestlers earn all-american honors at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships

Steve Santos 1

Brick Memorial's Steve Santos celebrates his win in the 152 pound final over Sayreville's Ramon Santiago during the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championship Finals at Boardwalk Hall during in ATLANTIC CITY, NJ on 3/8/09
(Photo by Chris Faytok/The Star-Ledger)

James Green of Willingboro (facing camera) defeats Nick Alpher of Paramus by major decision in the 145-pound final at the 2011 New Jersey State Wrestling Championships at historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (3/6/2011) Andrew Mills /The Star-Ledger

After two days of the NCAA Division I wrestling tournament just two New Jersey wrestlers remain and, unlike years past, none will be competing for a national title.

Steve Santos of Columbia, formerly of Brick Memorial and James Green of Nebraska, formerly of Willingboro will both be all-americans, securing places within the top eight of their respective weight classes.

Santos (149) earned a spot in the nation's top eight by winning three straight bouts to reach Friday's semifinals. There, Santos met Oklahoma State's undefeated, former national champion Jordan Oliver and lost 14-3. After suffering just his third loss of the season, Santos can place as high as third and is guaranteed at least sixth place.

In his three complete seasons at Columbia, Santos has won at least 20 matches. That's including a 2009-2010 season where he was a full-time starter as a true freshman. Earlier in the season, Santos became just the 19th wrestler in Columbia history to win an EIWA title when he took the 149-pound crown.

The senior was a two-time state finalist for Brick Memorial, finishing second in 2008 at 145 pounds and winning the 152-pound state title as a senior in 2009.

Green (157) earned his spot on the podium in the wrestle backs after losing 6-5 in sudden victory to Missouri's Kyle Bradley in the tournament's opening round. The sophomore won four straight matches in the losers bracket, including a 14-4 major decision over Penn State's Dylan Alton, to guarantee at least eighth place.

2013 will be the second time Green will be on the podium after he finished seventh at 157-pounds as a freshman last season. Nebraska's most improved wrestler for the 2011-2012 season.

Green won the 2011 state championship at 145 pounds and was a state finalist at 140 pounds the year before.

Despite an inspired performance, Rutgers' Scott Winston fell just two wins shy of earning a spot on the 157-pound podium.

Winston had high expectations after finishing his high school career at Jackson as an undefeated, three-time state champion but was unable to finish in the nation's top eight any of his four years at Rutgers.

Nine NJSIAA state championships were represented between the seven Rutgers wrestlers but all seven were eliminated on the first or second days. Rutgers has not had an all-american since 2002 when Tom Tanis finished fourth at 184 pounds in 2002.